Have you ever worked with someone that ALWAYS felt a need to prove they were right? Have you ever been THAT person?

When you consider it in terms of a RELATIONSHIP - have you ever had to have the Last Word? Why?

Most of have an UNCANNY ability to talk too much and not listen enough. Often, we ENGAGE in discussions that perpetuate based solely on the need someone to have a FINAL word. Consider how much GREATER your productivity would be if you just took what you NEEDED and let the rest go!

2 DEGREE SUCCESS STEP:
In your next board meeting or group discussion, STOP before you decide to "echo" someones thoughts.

If it has been said already, albeit maybe not as eloquently as you may have put it, let it go.

More often than not, you will find that the REAL VALUE in the discussion is uncovered in the first 3-5 mins and all the remaining BANTER is just junk.

"Companies that measure success in 30 day cycles truly live paycheck to paycheck."
- unknown

I always enjoy the matrix presented by Robert Kiyosaki, author of Rich Dad, Poor Dad, as it relates to business.

In this matrix, he defines 4 types of money making - Employed, Self Employed, Business Owner and Investor. Employed means you WORK for someone else with a SINGLE source of income. Self Employed means you work for YOURSELF with a single source of income. Business Owners have others working for them and create income from their activities, as well as the employees. Finally, the Investor had their MONEY doing all the work and generates multiple sources of income.

INTERESTINGLY, many business owners are actually a HIGH POWERED version of self employment. Their business works paycheck to paycheck and when they take a vacation... So does REVENUE.

More INTERESTING is how many EMPLOYEES treat their role as a Business Owner. They STRIVE to create referral streams, DELEGATE responsibility and provide STRUCTURE, such that they are able to spend time AWAY from the business while creating revenue.

2 DEGREE SUCCESS STEP:
If you are NOT currently working to SEPERATE yourself from being the sole driver of your income, you are missing the boat!

Even as an EMPLOYEE, you are able to create systems using AUTOMATION, DELEGATION and LEADERSHIP which will allow you to do more with less.

FREE yourself from your role... Find better ways of doing business without having to be "at work.". Remember, no boss ever fired an employee that came to work when they were the BEST employee!

You probably guesses who number 8 was last night already... Me. Rather than sulk in my MAGNIFICENT display of childish behavior, I am going to teach a lesson about "keeping your cool."

Business, much like sports, is really a test of mental DISCIPLINE and FOCUS. When you lose your COOL, often you lose your deal (or game). Why do we lose our cool though? Sometimes it is because we are ill-equipped with the RIGHT skill set, lack TEAMWORK or just become so DETERMINED to prove we "can do it," that we try TOO HARD and end up failing in spite of ourselves.

We are all CHALLENGED with a desire to EXCEL and ACHIEVE - sometimes an OVERWHELMING desire. There are simple ways in which we can better PREPARE ourselves for the challenges we face that will keep us from losing our cool. By PREPARING properly, we can manage our emotions, actions and subsequently our RESULTS.

2 DEGREE SUCCESS STEP:When you find yourself under the gun and in the heat of the moment (shall I add another trite phrase?), here are some easy tips to HELP keep your COOL:

* Stop, breathe, and center yourself. Under stress, we usually stop breathing. Without knowing it we close the throat, tense up, and get ready for a fight. We react to the perceived opponent and lose perspective, awareness, and the ability to make wise choices – just when we need these faculties the most. So stop, notice your tension, and open your breathing. Let the incoming breath reconnect you with a higher purpose so that you can engage your opponent in more purposeful ways.

* Become curious. Why would any reasonable human being behave this way? An attitude of curiosity is unbelievably useful in difficult moments. It introduces a learning stance and transforms anger. Curiosity brings you back to center.

* See the different parts of people. When we're angry, we see only the part of our "opponent" that we're upset with. Look for other parts – the big brother; loyal friend; doting grandma; proud mother – and talk to that part. You'll find yourself communicating differently.

* Inquire and listen. Asking an honest and sincere question to try to understand the other person is a powerful antidote to anger. As you become quiet and attentive, you also give yourself time to breathe, center, and regain control of your emotions. Listening is an art and an ally under stress.

* State your thoughts, hopes, and feelings. When you take the time to center yourself, understand your emotions, and listen to your conflict partner, you're more likely to communicate a message your partner can hear.

Take a lesson from the 30 year old that acted like he was 10... Keeping Your COOL will help achieve your goals. If you lose, you are almost guaranteed to ruin whatever great accomplishments you made (like leading your team in scoring... and fouls). Keep COOL...

When you think about doing more and achieving more... What is the key to that SUCCESS?

Education is ALWAYS the key. The more YOU know, the BETTER you are able to serve yourself and those around you. You will generate more MONEY, make better FRIENDS and ENHANCE your position in the community.

Do you really BELIEVE its a coincidence that often leaders are attorneys, physicians, professors, etc? Is it just LUCK that the best business people are born smarter than others?

2 DEGREE SUCCESS STEP:
When you consider who LEADS and who FOLLOWS, always seek education as a leading indicator of success.

Do you need a FORMAL education to be successful? Not at all...

Commit to reading 1 book per month on your preferred subject. If you continue that commitment - you WILL be more the expert than 95% of other people. Remember... Your EDUCATION is in YOUR hands!!